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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Amazon.com

Prine's 1971 self-titled debut set the tone for the rest of his career. A critical smash and a commercial disappointment, the record contains many of his best known compositions. Proving himself capable of tackling folk balladry, country, and rock with ease, Prine seems to spring into being as a fully formed singer-songwriter at age 24. Lyrically diverse, Prine offers topical songs such as "Sam Stone," the tale of a drug addicted Vietnam vet, achingly sad songs, such as the oft-covered "Angel from Montgomery," and, of course, his trademark wit gets ample time in the spotlight. Produced by the legendary Arif Mardin (Aretha Franklin, the Modern Jazz Quartet, Hall and Oates), the record is understated, letting Prine's comfy voice drive things. When needed, the famous house band at American Recording Studios in Memphis kicks in tasteful backing. --Ian Landau

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

I'll admit that I was drawn to John Prine on the strength of one line from the song Sam Stone. There's a hole in daddy's arm where all the money goes. That got me. Prine has a wonderful gift for injecting humor into intensely uncomfortable and painful situations. Prine has a lot of great albums and songs, but this debut is, in my opinion, the best that he has or will ever do. John possessed a maturity and insight well beyond his years on this one. Kris Kristofferson wrote the liner notes, praising Prine greatly(and deservedly so). Songs like Illegal Smile, Hello In There, Pretty Good, Quiet Man, Donald & Lydia and Six O' Clock News earned Prine a place in the songwriters hall of fame with the likes of Townes Van Zandt, Bob Dylan, Guy Clark, Steve Earle & Bob Mould. Prine wrote everything on this one himself & the lyrics are included with the cd. If you're into brilliant singer-songwriters, then I do believe you're looking in the right place. Even better news...he certainly kept up the great work on the follow-up to this one(Diamonds In The Rough). Prine has been off and on over the years, but his first two or three years were almost flawless. There is almost no way to live up to a debut like this, but Prine has periodically pulled it off. Prine's voice is accessible & blends well with the country/folk/blues music. This is a must have. If you are only going to own one John Prine cd...then add this to your cart right now!

I used to sing, "There's a hole in Daddy's arm where all the money goes" to my own kids and anyone who would listen, when the mood struck. This album was like a shockwave to people like me, the anti-war, idealists who thought that they'd already grasped the essence of life, and these songs, and this voice made the whole thing even more certain. Prine and the late Steve Goodman were first heard in Chicago, a city I frequented during my Wisconsin college years. His songs were the poems of a country rebel,with unpreposessing wisdom- I can't find one thing about them that isn't just as perfectly suited this many years later. "Your flag decal won't get you into heaven any more." The irony of that, is just too perfect for comfort. I saw him a few times in later years, when he opened for Nanci Griffith, when I thought it should've been the other way around. He was just as irreverent and kind of shy, wisecracker, with that almost unbearable, sensitivity broken with a relief of inspired wit. Some of the songs have been remade, like "Hello In There." Every time I hear it I can't help but think that it won't be long when that could be me, he's singing about. I asked my college age son when I saw that John Prine was giving a concert at his school, what he thought about him, and he said, he liked "Angel From Montgomery," ironically, one of the few I couldn't sing all the words to. But that son enlisted, the war on whatever the hell it is, and here's one hardline old leftie with a broken heart. Anyone who buys this album can grasp the late 60's that were actually the 70's when Bill Clinton was opposing the war and other's went and died. Lyndon Johnson's tapes revealed that he knew it was a lost cause, and yet, we and the older members of the anti-war movement, could only get comfort through the music and the sense of belonging. "That Illegal Smile," is what we've been trying to drug test our kids for my own son, is "Far From Me." Peace.

a long time ago, I wrote this for amazon as music lover from California. I have now decided to come clean. Do I get my two votes? Here is how brilliant John Prine is. Bette Midler covered Hello in There" and it still comes off well! I remember seeing this album in a stack of vinyl when there was only vinyl. It was the era where flag decals were given with copies of Reader's Digest. I remember hearing the song "Flag Decal" and thinking how awesome it wass that I understood the song. Last year I bought the tape of John Prine for my car. I hadn't heard it in twenty five years...but it seems as relevant today as it was twenty five years ago. Songs laced with pathos, sardonic humor, and most importantly.,heartbeats of the human condition, John Prine is a treasure still, managing to be both a time capsule, a record of the time is was written in and a current event lesson. I listen to alot of music and am not a John Prine head, nor am I a John Prine groupie. I have this album, and this one only...but it is an exceptional one. I say hooray to all kinds of music, but let's give folkies like John Prine his due. Here is one fabulous songwriter that deserves a listen

Here is how brilliant John Prine is. Bette Midler covered Hello in There" and it still comes off well!!! I remember seeing this album in a stack of vinyl when there was only vinyl. It was the era where flag decals were given with copies of Reader's Digest. I remember hearing the song "Flag Decal" and thinking how awesome it wass that I understood the song. Last year I bought the tape of John Prine for my car. I hadn't heard it in twenty five years...but it seems as relevant today as it was twenty five years ago. Songs laced with pathos, sardonic humor, and most importantly.,heartbeats of the human condition, John Prine is a treasure still, managing to be both a time capsule, a record of the time is was written in and a current event lesson. I listen to alot of music and am not a John Prine head, nor am I a John Prine groupie. I have this album, and this one only...but it is an exceptional one. I say hooray to all kinds of music, but let's give folkies like John Prine his due. Here is one fabulous songwriter that deserves a listen